Cataracts – Diabetic Eye Disease (Nursing)

00:01 Now cataracts.

00:02 Everyone can develop cataracts as they age but diabetic patients are 2 to 5 times more likely to develop cataracts and usually they do at a younger age.

00:13 The most common symptoms of cataracts is seeing blurry images at any distance far, near, doesn't matter.

00:20 So people may describe their vision is foggy, cloudy or filmy.

00:26 Those are cues for a nurse.

00:29 Mr. Sanchez, have you ever noticed when you were looking at things seems like it's kind of foggy or cloudy or something's over your eye? Have you noticed that? See by you understanding the cues, you know, the right questions to ask.

00:43 Now cataracts get worse with time and less light reaches the retina.

00:47 So overtime, cataracts can really lead to significant vision loss.

00:52 Ready to see what it would look like.

00:55 There you go.

00:56 These pictures show you the progression of the impact on a patient's vision as the cataracts develop.

01:03 Cool part is they go in for surgery and have them removed they go right from this side back to clear vision.

01:10 It's incredible how quickly they see a change for the better after they have a cataract removed.

01:17 Now these are chronic problems.

01:19 But I also want you to be aware that there are temporary problems with diabetes.

01:23 Now a patient can have temporary vision changes when you change their medications or their plans.

01:29 Now, we do know here's some good news.

01:31 Ask Mr. Sanchez how his vision has been if he's had some changes, if his blood sugar has been out of control and his vision has been impacted.

01:40 Sometimes just bringing that blood sugar closer to normal can completely clear up some simple vision problems.

01:48 Now also when we make changes to somebody's plan.

01:52 They may also have some vision changes because high glucose can change fluid levels or cost swelling in the eye.

01:58 That's why if Mr. Sanchez had really high blood sugars and we can make some changes together, they get it back to normal, He may notice he doesn't need those readers as much.

02:07 Keeping in mind, high glucose can change fluid levels or cause swelling in the eyes.

02:13 Now, we're going to show you what that would look like.

02:16 Okay so what would high glucose, what might it make your picture look like? You got it, good deal.

02:22 So we want patients to avoid that.

02:25 But if we're making changes, we want them to know this might happen, keep us informed and we'll connect that with their level of blood sugar so we can make effective clinical decisions.

02:36 So remind Mr. Sanchez, this is why it's important.

02:39 You need a complete and thorough eye exam at least every year and if he notices any changes in his vision, he needs to contact his health care provider early.

02:50 Okay now we're going to move on to talk about his kidneys and some even more personal areas that you may find uncomfortable but see that's why we're talking about of here.

03:00 I want you to become very comfortable and talking about personal things on the outside.

03:05 Even if it's awkward for you on the inside.

03:08 You need to stay calm and approachable when we talk about these personal subjects.